“We go way, way back and I’ve seen how dedicated he is to his profession, first as an assistant and working his way up. He knows the club inside out, he’s got an opportunity. He inherited a very good team, but you have to put your own stamp on it and obviously his man management skills are fantastic.”

The two played together at Sydney FC and in Japan for Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and they were also part of the Young Socceroos side that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup back in 1991.

But on Sunday afternoon in Perth their friendship will be put aside as Popovic aims to make it fourth time lucky, while Corica has the chance of winning the championship at his very first attempt.

Corica has led Sydney to the grand final in his first season as head coach.Source: AAP

“During the game that goes away,” Popovic said.

“You concentrate on what you can control and your team. But in the meantime, seeing him was nice, we had a good laugh. When you’ve known each other so long, you talk about a million things.

“Come Sunday the competitiveness will come out, but I’m delighted for him, and I know he is for me.”

Popovic reached three grand finals with the Wanderers, but has yet to win one.Source: Getty Images

This may be Perth’s first A-League grand final, but Popovic has been here before — three times, in fact, with the Western Sydney Wanderers. He’s lost on each occasion and, this time, says he’s “excited by the challenge” of trying to take the Glory all the way.

“I think you take something out of every grand final,” he said.

“This is my fourth and if I overanalyse every little detail, I’ve probably covered every single base in terms of doing something in a different way. This way I’ll be doing exactly what I believe is right based on this team, this final, this city and I’ll just do that. I’m excited what that can bring us.”